Bussetti was a London-based band who were active between 2001 and 2007. Their style was a mish-mash of genres, including hip-hop, funk, jazz, indie and pop.
During their career, as well as playing at venues all over the UK, they performed at several music festivals, including the 2003 and 2006 Big Chill festivals, and the 2004 Dour Festival in Belgium.
They released two 12" singles, Softly (2003)Softly – Discogs.com accessed 02/09/2012 and The Itch/Debussetti (2004)The Itch/Debussetti – Discogs.com, accessed 02/09/2012 and an album – Where Have You Been (2007). – TuneTribe website, 2012
Their work has been remixed by artists such as Four Tet and Xploding Plastix.
They split up in June 2007.Bussetti's MySpace blog – May 2007
History
Bussetti were formed in 2001 in London by a group of musicians who had all met at university. They named themselves after the former landlord of two of the band, who was subsequently murdered in 2002.Man charged with murder as landlord found dead – Croydon Guardian, September 2002 Their early influences were Lamb, Red Snapper and The Cinematic Orchestra.
They had a varied line-up (see below), and performed regularly in London and around the UK.
Discography
Softly
The band's début 12" single, Softly, featured a remix by Four Tet, plus instrumental and a capella versions. Produced by band members Dan Edge and Henry Scowcroft, it was recorded at the Premises studios in Hackney, London, in 2003, and released on the band's own (now-defunct) label, Realise Records.
A1: Softly A2: Softly (instrumental) B1: Softly (Four Tet remix) B2: Softly (a capella)
The Itch/Debussetti Their second single was a 'double-A' side, featuring tracks The Itch and Debussetti. It was also released on Realise Records.
A1 The Itch A2 The Itch (radio edit) B1 Debussetti B2 Debussetti (radio edit)
The Story So Far
Prior to the release of Where Have You Been (see below), the band pulled together all their material to date and released it as a free CD, given out at gigs.Bussetti's blog on MySpace – 2007 The track listing was:
Spanish Jake Nings The Itch Debussetti Diskaplin (live) Debussetti (Xploding Plastix remix) The Itch (King Seven remix) Debussetti (Deckshufflers remix) Softly (Four Tet remix) Jon Kennedy – Useless Wooden Toys (Bussetti remix) Verbrilli Sound – Honey Czars (Bussetti remix)
Where Have You Been
In 2007, the band released a full-length CD album, Where Have You Been. Produced by the band, and mixed and mastered by Ben Spektor, it was recorded at various locations including The Premises in London, and featured guest appearances by double bassists Tim Pharaoh and Omri Chetrit, and session percussionist Preston Heyman.
The track listing was:
Singasong Spanish Jake Softly The Itch The Scratch Words Nings Song with 3 Names Not From Round Here Debussetti
The album was released at Bussetti's farewell gig, at the Luminaire in London,Bussetti's last gig – Flickr photoset by Matt Farrow on 9 June 2007. It can currently be streamed from SoundCloud.Bussetti – Where Have You Been – SoundCloud (free streaming)
Other material
Bussetti contributed mixes to Ninja Tune's Solid Steel radio show,2004-05-03 – Strictly Kev, Bussetti, DK – Solid Steel – MixesDB – 2005-03-07 – Bussetti, DK – Solid Steel – MixesDB and did remixes for Canadian Downtempo artist Verbrilli SoundBeatport – HONEY CZARS Bussetti Remix and UK musician Jon Kennedy.
They placed a collection of remixes done for the band, together with unreleased live and instrumental tracks, on SoundCloud.Bussetti – Remixes – SoundCloud (free streaming)
In December 2011, their single Debussetti was featured by Tom Robinson on BBC6 Music's Introducing show.The Introducing Christmas Mixtape – 25 December 2011
Line-up
The live band revolved around a core of five, supplemented by various others. The initial line-up was:
Jana Hermon – vocals Charlie Miller – vocals, guitar, saxophone Jez Humble – synthesizer Daniel Edge – keyboards Oli Bird – drums Henry Scowcroft – bass Susannah Price – cello
Prior to the departure of Humble and Price, the band was joined by saxophonist Nick Atkins and scratch DJ Nick Flugge. In 2005, drummer Oli Bird moved to LA and was replaced by Dor Kelman. In later years, trombophonist Jamie Fagg, harp/clarinetist Kat Arney, synth player Rui Teimao, and VJ Mark van der Vord played with the band. For their final live appearance at London's Luminare in June 2007, their line-up was:
Jana Hermon – vocals Charlie Miller – vocals, guitar, alto saxophone Daniel Edge – keyboards/harmonium Rui Teimao – synthesizer Dor Kelman – Drums Jamie Fagg – trombone Nick Atkins – soprano/tenor saxophone Kat Arney – Harp/bass clarinet Henry Scowcroft – bass/guitar Mark van der Vord – visuals
References
Further reading Interview with The Big Chill – by Susanna Glaser, 2004 Interview with Pop Up Music magazine – (Polish), 2004 The Itch/Debussetti review, by Pop Up Music magazine, 2004 (Polish) – posted on bigchill.net, 2006
External links Bussetti on MySpace Bussetti on SoundCloud Bussetti on Last.Fm